Ministerial interview: Celebrating Italy’s central role in the global energy sector

The decision to host an event of international relevance such as Gastech in Milan, testifies to Italy’s centrality in the global energy scene and our role as a strategic hub in the Mediterranean, capable of attracting companies, investors and institutional players from all over the world. We welcome global events which stimulate dialogue between institutions, companies, research centers, sector associations and financial stakeholders.

Business landscape of excellence

At a time when security of supply and the energy transition are global challenges, Italy is a strategic player, with a strong infrastructure network, a privileged geographical position and a business landscape of excellence. As a government, we are aware of the challenges we face. We are tackling the energy transition with determination, adopting a pragmatic and realistic approach, guided by scientific rigor and innovation, which is not at the expense of industrial development. Too often in the past, ideologies have led the way, with rules imposed from above that have damaged fundamental sectors of the European productive landscape and penalised consumers, without achieving the desired environmental results.

Driver for competitiveness

We are now working for a change of pace: a European industrial policy strategy that harnesses the green transition by making it a driver for business competitiveness and strategic autonomy. We can no longer accept having to choose between ecology and competitiveness, between decarbonisation and employment. For Italy, natural gas represents an important energy source in the short term that can guarantee flexibility in our energy system. This is also why we must promote it as a driver of the energy transition, flanking it with the development of renewable sources and new technologies with a low environmental impact, such as hydrogen and nuclear, as well as exploiting innovative solutions such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and supercomputers applied to energy efficiency.

Building a secure and sustainable future

Gastech 2025 will be an important opportunity to enhance and promote the emergence of new international synergies and attract investments that benefit our energy supply chain, with positive spin-offs for the start-up ecosystem and the entire national economy. For these reasons, also this year the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy has granted its patronage to this important event.

I am certain that the discussions will offer a concrete contribution to addressing the great challenges of the present and building together a safer and more sustainable future, from an environmental, social and economic point of view.